30 June 2019 – 07 July 2019
Impressed Tortoise Seen for the First Time in India
Bunty Tao, a ranger under the Hapoli forest division in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kamle district, saw the tortoise in the hands of one of the villagers. He rescued it and thought this one was different. “I’ve seen turtles and tortoises before, but I knew this one was special. It looked grand and impressive,” says Tao. Little did he know his chance rescue would spell what could be potentially a new chapter in history of turtle conservation in the Northeast. This was the first ever sighting of the elusive Manouria impressa or Impressed Tortoise in an Arunachal Pradesh forest will give a boost to the field of turtle conservation in Northeast India.
More from Indian Express
Also Read: Plastic is killing Sea Turtles
First Artificially Hatched Chick of Great Indian Bustard
The plan to start an artificial breeding centre for the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard has born fruits. A chick hatched from one of the eggs being artificially incubated in Jaisalmer’s Desert National Park. This is the first ever chick the world of the threatened bird that has hatched in the centre. The population of the bird in the wild has dwindled to approximately 130. Now the Rajasthan government plans to create a founder population of 25 in the next three years to save the species through captive breeding.
More from TOI
Also Read: Wanted – Eggs of the Great Indian Bustard
Tamil Yeoman is the State Butterfly of Tamil Nadu
A beautiful orange butterfly endemic to the Western Ghats,the Tamil Yeoman has become the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. “Bearing the name Tamil, its host plant Maravatti which is also a Western Ghats endemic plant species that is said to have given the name ‘Maravan’ (warrior in Tamil) to this elegant butterfly, would have given this butterfly an edge for the top honours”says Manoj Sethuraman, a naturalist.
More from Deccan Chronicle, Image via The Hindu
Also Read: Butterfly seen after 74 Years!
Bhitarkanika Park Turns Crocodile Maternity Ward in Odisha
Odisha Forest officials have halted the entry of tourists to a section in Bhitarkanika National Park for the safety of crocodile hatchlings. A total of 103 saltwater crocodile nests have been spotted in the area. Each crocodile can lay around 40 to 50 eggs and it takes 75 days for each one of them to hatch. For safety of the hatchlings and the parents, and also the visitors, forest department banned the tourist entry to the park till July 31.
More from DNA
Indian Smugglers Nabbed in Malaysia Smuggling Turtles
Malaysian customs officers arrested two Indian men attempting to smuggle over 5,000 terrapins through the country to be sold as pets. The terrapins — packed into plastic containers inside two suitcases — were worth 52,550 ringgit ($12,700). Some of them also died in the journey.
More from Global Village Space
Also read: Over 1000 Turtles Rescued in Bangalore from Smugglers
